Bring some style to your bathroom
or powder room with this Nicollet Brushed Nickel Three-Light Vanity. Perfect for spaces that need a little extra light, this versatile vanity light is both stylish and functional. As part of the Soft Modern collection, this vanity ...

Bathroom Lighting Inspiration & Ideas

Your master bath lighting helps set the tone for your entire day and also helps you groom, clean and perform other essential daily tasks. There’s nothing like new lights to create a dramatic transformation for such a crucial space. Today’s bathroom light fixtures are easy to install, energy efficient, and available in countless designs and sizes. You’ll find bathroom ceiling light fixtures adorned with crystals, frosted glass, matte glass - even seashells and beads! When remodeling or upgrading, choose a style complementary to your sink, shower, and cabinetry. Some of the most beautiful bathroom lights are trimmed in brass, copper, nickel or burnished bronze. For extra shine and sparkle, choose chrome bathroom lighting and faucets to match. Look for LED light bulbs in warm white to create an inviting, welcoming atmosphere that shows off your towels and decorative soaps.

Popular Styles of Bathroom Lights

Since bathrooms tend to be small, it’s important to assess your space to determine its potential. Bathroom lighting above or around the vanity is a traditional approach, but doesn’t need to stop there! Look for opportunities to hang sconces near the door, by the shower stall, or near a freestanding whirlpool or bathtub. When choosing a fixture to hang over a mirror, consider where the light will land when passing through the shade. If lights for bathroom brightness are your priority, choose styles that cast light in a downward direction and bath the direct vicinity in plentiful light.

Tips on light direction and shades
Alternately, a shade that opens toward the ceiling or on both ends of your vanity might be more suitable for powder rooms that add dramatic visual interest for visitors and party guests. Some modern lights are entirely encased inside the shade, bathing the area with a luminous glow. Whatever your pick, make sure to properly measure the space where the bath lighting will be installed, accounting for edges and corners that might interfere with your plan. It’s helpful to divide your mirror into equal sections with masking tape in order to determine the number of lamps to include in your fixture. For sconces, ceiling lights, or decorative lights, try cutting a piece of thin cardboard into the exact dimensions of the light you plan to use. Hold the template to the wall or ceiling to get a sense of how the fixture will fit into the area. That sure takes the guess work out of the job!

Picking Your Bathroom Wall Lights

When selecting bathroom wall lighting, take a tip from professional designers and consider the shapes already at work in the room’s décor and architecture. If your bathroom floor is covered in square tile and the mirror is also square, continue the pattern with a set of square bathroom vanity lights. More fluid shapes such as a curvy bathtub or pair of oval sinks might be complemented by a shell-shaped wall sconce or a vintage light bar. A long, curved rectangular wall light lends classic sophistication to a modern bathroom’s sleek styling. For extra bright light, hang a light bar made of five or six round white lights, and update your bathroom Hollywood style!

Consistent use of the same material – metal, glass, ceramic, or wood – is another professional technique, but don’t be afraid to create contrast. If your vanity is built from dark oak and has a ceramic sink, try steampunk or industrial bath lighting with a recycled glass shade or a rustic copper covering that casts a cozy glow. Make the room feel lighter with bathroom lighting fixtures made from metallic tile, natural stone, or pure white porcelain. Don’t forget that the lightbulbs affect the hue and warmth level of your light. Choose chandelier bulbs for extra sparkle and install a dimmer switch to gain extra control, especially if you're working with high ceilings.

Ideas for Choosing Bathroom Vanity Lights

There are plenty of ways to make a style statement with light fixtures for bathroom ceilings. First identify a design theme for your bathroom lamps and other elements in the room. A shabby chic bathroom with floral wallpaper and a distressed wood vanity notches up the elegance with a crystal dome light or ceiling fixture shaded with sepia-toned glass. Also consider showing off your ceiling with two or three bell-shaped lights attached to a fan. For a modern bathroom, go minimalist with a round white saucer light, curved rectangular shade, or a chandelier of clear round bubbles, each with its own tiny light inside.

A more traditional design theme in the bathroom might call for a burnished bronze ceiling dome with a shade of marbled white glass or a white square of glass centered with an elegant brass finial. If your look is more industrial or transitional, look for ceiling lights with interesting compositions such as mixed metals, heavy-duty hardware, and style fusions. Above all, your new ceiling light should provide the amount of light you need and complement the other fixtures and cabinetry in the room. Don’t forget to try remote controls, smart light bulbs, and dimmer switches for convenience.

A Tour of Chrome Bathroom Lighting

Nothing makes a bathroom look more clean and pulled-together than the shine of chrome bathroom lighting. Also called silvertone or nickel, chrome is the classic choice for vanity light fixtures hanging above a mirror or on a tiled or painted wall. When shopping for nickel bathroom wall light fixtures, take measurements of the area to determine the best size and shape. Also ask yourself if the chrome plating should stand out against the wall or subtly fit in with more prominent aspects of the space. A chrome bar above a large mirror, for example, will reflect the same light as the mirror and may not provide the dramatic statement you’re looking for. However, a chrome and glass fixture contrasted against a dark slate or burgundy wall reveals the structural lines and details. Chrome is shiny, so shade selection is also important when creating contrast. Glass, plastic, or ceramic in pure white make the most of chrome’s reflective brightness, but an ivory or pale gray marbled shade can add a bit of mystique. If your bathroom vanity has dark wood cabinets and moldings, a chrome light fixture can be the perfect step toward a more modern style. Clean your chrome fixtures with gentle products – glass cleaner, vinegar, or a damp sponge removes dust and maximizes shine in an instant.

Shopping for bathroom light fixtures provides an opportunity to create a new look without the stress and expense of a major remodel. With so many styles and options for vanity lights, ceiling lights, and wall lights, your toughest task is making those final decisions. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to read the product descriptions carefully, taking time to obtain proper measurements. Also consider important factors like wattage, bulb style, shade color, light direction, and installation methods. When hanging your fixtures, use precaution and consider hiring a professional if you need help. With your new lights shining, you can look in the mirror and congratulate yourself on a job done well.